enormous quantities of refined products to the consuming markets of the Eastern hemisphere, and so long as the supplying centres continue their present productivity, there need be no talk of approaching famine, for, if necessary--providing facilities permitted--these regions could materially increase their present output of petroleum products. [Illustration: OIL PRODUCTION IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE INDUSTRY IN BURMAH] INDIA also ranks to-day as a very important petroleum producing region, the fields of Upper Burmah--in which the Burmah Oil Company operates--being responsible for practically the whole production. In another part of this little publication, I deal briefly with this Company’s operations, so, for the moment, it is sufficient to mention that, though to-day they produce large quantities of petroleum, there are several new districts which show much promise of new production. For many years the Upper Burmah fields were exploited by means of very shallow wells: it was only when the deeper strata were reached that the potentialities of the region became fully manifest. [Illustration: AN OLD JAPANESE WAY OF OPERATING THE WELLS] JAPAN, as an oil-producing country, affords food for an interesting story, for it was here that very early attempts were made to develop production. Even in the seventh century, the Emperor was presented with “burning water” with which the Palace was lighted. The crude oil was collected from pools, or, alternately, wells were dug by hand, the process of extraction being very picturesque, if very primitive. To-day, Echigo is the centre of the industry, for which the introduction of European methods of drilling have worked wonders in regard to progress. The Celestials consume large quantities of petroleum, especially for lighting purposes, and in spite of the now considerable yields from the wells, a gigantic trade is regularly done in imported oils, especially those of American origin, for which there is a most up-to-date organization for distribution. The statement that American petroleum products find their way to every quarter of the globe is strangely exemplified in Japan (as also in China), where the ubiquitous tin container for petroleum can be seen in the most isolated parts. [Illustration: THE GALICIAN FIELDS, SHOWING DAMAGE DONE BY THE RUSSIAN ARMIES WHEN RETREATING IN 1916]